Natasha Periyanayagam, a 13-year-old Indian-American prodigy who has been named in the list of “world’s most brilliant” students, has said that her parents have been her “best support” by not pressuring her to excel in her studies. Gave.
Periyanayagam, a student at Florence M. Gaudiner Middle School in New Jersey, was named to the list of “world’s most talented” students for the second year in a row by the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth, based on results from above-grade-level tests. Was on 15,000 students in 76 countries.
“I know my parents are happy and so is my elder sister,” Periyanayagam said in an interview to PTI on Tuesday.
this was it For the second time the young girl made it to the list of most talented students in the world by The Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY).
In 2021, Periyanayagam was one of around 19,000 students from 84 countries who appeared in CTY’s 2020-21 Talent Search. Less than 20 percent of CTY Talent Search participants qualify for CTY High Honors Awards.
Periyanayagam was among 15,300 students from 76 countries who appeared in the CTY in the 2021-22 talent search year, according to the university’s press release.
Fewer than 27 percent of those participants qualify for the CTY ceremony, which receives either high or grand honors based on their test scores. In his latest attempt, Periyanayagam secured the highest grades among all the candidates.
Responding to a question on the support and encouragement he received from his parents, Periyanayagam said, “I think the best support they gave me was not pressuring me to do this” or “saying that ‘you have to do it’.” She said that her parents, who are from Chennai, did not force her to take the exam. “There was no outside pressure. They just left it up to me. I waited until the day of the deadline to do (the test). I just woke up and was like, ‘Okay, sure, I’ll do it.'” Periyanayagam said. The fact that she took the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) test in the spring of 2021 when she was a grade 5 student has motivated her to take the test for the next level in 2022.
“There are two types of awards you can get for taking the exam. One is High Honors and the other is Grand Honors. So last year, I got High Honors and I knew there was one more level I could reach. I decided Maybe I will get grand honors this time. I gave (the exam) and this time I got grand honours.”
Periyanayagam said she “did not prepare” separately for the exams as she was already enrolled in some advanced classes at school. “So it prepared me well for it. And I got some extra practice outside of school as well,” she said.
Her achievement will certainly serve as an inspiration to other students, Periyanayagam said, adding that her message to other youngsters is that “if you want to achieve something like this, try it first… you never know.” You won’t find out what your true potential is until you do something like it.” can measure it. So just take a chance. The middle-school student hasn’t finalized her plans for the future yet, saying that architecture and science are two subjects that interest her tremendously.
“Initially for a long time, I thought I wanted to be an architect because I love building things and I love math. And those two things go into it…but then I realized science was very interesting to me.” So maybe I do something in science or maybe with art,” she said.
She said that in terms of engineering or architecture, she wants to pursue higher studies in colleges like Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
“I haven’t really thought about it because I haven’t decided what to do yet. When I figure out what to do, there will be a good college that I can go to,” she said.
Periyanayagam said that when she is not studying, she enjoys music and plays the guitar, violin and piano. “I also like to read and draw. And sometimes, friends come over or I do something with my sister so I can spend my free time like that.
In 2021, Periyanayagam’s results in the verbal and quantitative sections leveled out with a 90th percentile of Advanced Grade 8 performance, which catapulted him to the honor list that year. This year, they were honored for their exceptional performance on the SAT, ACT, School and College Ability Tests or similar assessments taken as part of the CTY Talent Search, the university said in a press release on Monday.
CTY uses testing above grade level to identify advanced students around the world and provide a clear picture of their academic abilities. “This is not just a recognition of our students’ success on a test, but a salute to their love of discovery and learning and all the knowledge they’ve accumulated so far in their young lives,” said CTY Executive Director Dr. Amy Shelton.
“It’s exciting to think of all the ways in which they will use that ability to discover their passions, engage in rewarding and enriching experiences, and accomplish remarkable things in their communities and the world,” he said.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)